Stand Your Ground Defense Leads to Not Guilty Verdicts in McCafferty Case: Guilty of Tampering with Evidence

The Stand Your Ground defense worked for Andrew McCafferty.

He was found not guilty of charges of aggravated murder, murder, involuntary manslaughter, and felonious assault.

McCafferty, however, was convicted of both counts of tampering with evidence.

Those charges were connected to the disposal of the knife and Collins’ cell phone.

While there was no disputing that McCafferty stabbed James Collins to death in the early morning hours of October 1, 2025, in Mt. Victory, they believed McCafferty had a right to defend himself when Collins came at him.

Defense attorney Joel Spitzer convinced the jury that Collins, who had elevated levels of several drugs, including methamphetamine and alcohol, was the aggressor that night, and McCafferty was in fact acting in self-defense against a man he said was around 50 pounds heavier than his client.

The jury deliberated for around three and a half hours before returning the verdicts.

The tampering with evidence charges are both third-degree felonies.

Judge Steve Christopher ordered a presentence investigation, and McCafferty will be sentenced on March 19.

He was released on a $15,000 own-recognizance bond.